Friday, January 30, 2009

Last night, I got home quite late from work. My 6:15 meeting ran until 8:30. (Luckily it was quite productive.) Thank goodness I went into work a little late because poor puppy would have had her legs seriously crossed otherwise. I was pushing it as it was.

In walking her around the block, I had to avoid some serious sheets of ice on sidewalks. Towards the end of the block, I couldn't avoid it. I tried to walk carefully over some ice that was essentially as smooth as an ice rink after the Zamboni has gone through. Whoosh I went to the side, landing on my left hip under the bumper of a car. Pop went my ear muffs right off my head! It was not pretty. Although I was quite sore last night, today isn't too bad - just my hip and knee hurt now. That, my friends, I can managed. However, we aren't walking that block again tonight!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

After working crazy hours at work for about a week and a half, I had Monday and Tuesday off this week. I used that time somewhat productively. What did I do you ask?

I finished the 3rd and 4th books of the Twilight series. I have to say, I couldn't put book 4 down even though I didn't completely like the story. Stephanie Meyer seemed focused on keeping the main characters alive rather than keeping things real. It was good though.... just no Harry Potter.

I bought fabric. I thought I had enough lining for the little suit jacket I'm making. Wrong! Monday required a trip to JoAnn's, where I got lining fabric and 1/2 yard of some pretty pink flowered fabric. It will make a nice addition to my future quilt blocks.

I bought more fabric. Yesterday, I took my cell phone in for repair. It was randomly shutting off, which is never nice. While they worked on my phone, I killed time but picking up Rosy's heartworm and flea medication and then popped by Wal-Mart (yeah, I hate Wal-Mart too but sometimes you gotta kill time). So, I got 6 different 1/4 yards for $5. And, the fabric woman was perfectly delightful.

I cut out pattern pieces. The little suit jacket pieces are prepped and ready for me.

I cut glass. My stain glass class last night was fun. I cut out all of the pieces of glass and started putting the copper around the pieces. Next week - soldering!! So much freaking fun!

What didn't I do? Knitting. I have no project on the needles. It's kind of driving me crazy. I need to find a worsted weight sweater I love to cast on. (Raverly in my future? You might say!) I also didn't sew anything. I thought about it a bunch but never got the pieces cut out to start the sewing process. I think this weekend will make prime sewing time though....

Monday, January 26, 2009

and it is next to impossible. As I said before, the curves is stained glass are harder to cut. I can't seem to make a design that offers me the appropriate amount of challenge without too many curves.I drew both of these tonight. Quite honestly, the heart would probably offer the appropriate challenge. I'm intrigued by the dove, although I haven't figured out how to break up the body into do-able parts. The dove is from the crest of my sorority and could be kind of cool (although, I fear, too big). The heart is just something I'm thinking would be nice and done in time for Valentine's day in case I decide to use it as a gift. I have so many other ideas in my brain but can't translate them into non-curvy designs on paper. Argh! I have until tomorrow night to decide....

Oh, but I did get my gloves today, although not the Atlas brand so highly recommended. So I should return tomorrow night with all of my fingers!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Excuse the all over the place nature of this post....my brain is kind of in overdrive.

First off, aren't those mermaids fabulous? I'm so excited to use that fabric!! But really, quilt blocks or cute little suit jacket first? Ah, the debate going on in my head!

I finished my crazy period at work yesterday with the chills and a headache. I felt better this morning after sleeping about 10 hours, went into work in the afternoon, got a bad headache again and came home. And, my phone kept ringing with various issues. They can all wait until tomorrow....

I'm still trying to figure out what stained glass design I want to make. Curves are a bit harder to cut in glass than straight lines (duh... I really could have figured that out if I thought about. Which I didn't before that first class). But, I'm still kind of thinking a block design with some kind of flower design in it.... hmm.... more to come. Oh, and must go buy gloves... really.... because I like all of my fingers.

I have had a cowl on the needles forever. Seriously, only about 6 more rounds before it is done. I just haven't had knitting time. I hope tomorrow I can finish that sucker up. 'Cause I think it will be quite marvelous. Oh, and it will match my beret. And it's going to be 30 degrees again tomorrow. Brrrr....

And I gotta finish up the third of the Twilight books. Because I'm obsessed. Even with the so so writing (she's not J.K. Rowling) they are kind of obsessive.

Tomorrow, I really need to go to the grocery store. Seriously. 'Cause the only real food I have is goat cheese. Which is delicious but you can't make a whole meal out of. I'm kind of obsessed with goat cheese right now by the way....

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I had bought some fabric from fabric.com on sale. I got some suiting wool to make a cute little jacket from a pattern I have (more on the pattern later!). I am looking forward to that challenge, as jackets offer different construction challenges than I've done before. And at 30% off, the fabric cost me about $10. I love a clothing deal!

I also got these two quilting fabrics - just a 1/2 yard each but I already have a couple of quilt blocks planned out in my head. Both of these were on sale as well. I think I'm going to approach quilt 2 a little different - just do some block construction for a while until I have enough of them to make up a quilt. I'm debating the size it will be.

Getting these little lovelies in the mail during my craziest time at work, when I'm getting less sleep than I'm used to, is just wonderful. Now, I can work while dreaming of the possibilities! Wonderful!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I love when we get just a dusting of snow..... the world is coated in whiteness, a clean slate outside just waiting for the artist in all of us to come make our mark. I love the way snow clings to the trees and bushes, giving them a winter aura.

My apartment complex is home to many little dogs, all leaving little footprints in the courtyard. The view from my window shows me the result of lovely cold walks on a winter day. It reminds me of the rebirth of the seasons and my small place within the greater sphere.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Oh my goodness!!! I had my first stained glass class tonight and it was beyond fun. I love cutting glass, wearing funky goggles, trying my hand at curves and everything else. Heck, even the various cuts on my hands aren't a big deal (although I am going out to buy gardening gloves before next class). So fun!! For next week we have to firm up what design we want to make. And I'm thinking afresh. More drawings to come soon folks!!

The inauguration of a President means so many different things. The peaceful transition of government, something we as Americans take for granted, is a remarkable and rare process. It is an event that signifies what this country was founded on, what our forefathers fought to bring to fruition and what generations of Americans went to war to protect. As the reins of government are handed from one man to the next, one party to the next it all is done without worry or incident.

The inauguration of Barack Obama signifies a restoration of hope for me. I believe in the best this country has to offer – the promise of freedom, the protections of civil liberties and compassionate care for the citizens. I believe the charismatic, visionary and progressive leadership that Obama has shown throughout his service to this country offers great promise for restoring our place in the world, living up to the protections of the Constitution and moving the country towards a more unified place.

I look forward to supporting President Obama. As a citizen it is my responsibility to assist, challenge and voice my concerns regarding the politics and leadership of my country. Although I will not always agree with the President I will stand behind him, respect him and follow him. Inauguration means so many things but most of all a willingness to believe in the best possibilities for our future.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

I must offer the disclaimer that this has nothing to do with crafting....

I got a pair of boots for Christmas. They were too wide in the calves so I sent them back (mail away) and ordered a new pair. The new pair were an 8 - my normal size. Well, they were way too big. So I mailed those back and got one of the few 7 1/2 left. Whew, they fit. So I wore my dress today with my fabulous new boots. And, they were comfy and oh so pretty. And, tonight at a meeting the freaking heel broke. Seriously? I had to walk back to my car with walk, shuffle, walk, shuffle, walk, shuffle..... it was sad (and a little taxing on the right foot).

The boots gods are frowning upon me. So, off these go in the mail, with no replacement available. No boots for me (Yeah, I just said that aloud in the Soup Nazi voice from Seinfeld). And such is life, isn't it? Thankfully, I have plenty of yarn to bring a happy smile to my face.....

(I will say my new friend Amber at Eddie Bauer customer service was quite helpful, apologetic and nice about it......so kudos to them!)

Monday, January 12, 2009

I've started thinking about what design I want to use during my stain glass class as it starts a week from tomorrow. Above are three designs I'm contemplating although I'm favoring #1 as it is something I doodle all of the time. I just don't know if it is too complicated for a first project. I also feel like something else is percolating in my brain, I just don't know what it is. Any thoughts on other designs? If you were doing my class, what design would you do?

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Well, yesterday morning I decided to finally finish this skirt. The hem is in, although a little more visible in parts than a blind hem should be. I'm not overly thrilled with it as the hems lie a little wonky when on. I ironed it, which helped. I'll probably wear it this week and see how it lies after a full day.

I also finished New Moon last night - well, early this morning actually. After being busy all afternoon and evening, I started the end at 11:15 last night, bound and determined to finish. So, on to book 3 today....

Friday, January 9, 2009

That Valentine door decoration that I had in my head the other day? I couldn't let go of the idea. So yesterday, I cut out all of the fabric and tonight I sewed the whole thing together. I absolutely love how it went together!! It looks wonderful on my blah brown apartment door. (Seriously the door is the color of those M&Ms they no longer make. You know, the ones the blues replaced? Yuck!)

I'm also loving the reflection I see when sitting on my couch. This is the bookcase I got over winter break from Ikea. It's loaded with books, fabric and other craft stuff. It looks so organized and pretty.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

otherwise known as why you might not see me around these parts over the next two weeks. The next two weeks are my busiest time of the year at work, where I typically work 15 and sometimes 18 hour days. On top of that, I just set up brunch plans with a friend for MLK Day (and yes, I have to work that day) and dinner plans with my stepsister. (But they are never in town and it would just be silly and bad to miss getting together!) And, I'm bound and determined to finish New Moon, the 2nd book of the Twilight series. That doesn't include the green skirt I should be hemming, the curriculum I should be writing, the random idea floating around my head of a Valentine door decoration for my apartment, and the scarf I cast on the other day. Umm, perhaps I should a.) admit all of this can't be accomplished or b.) sign the crazy pledge card admitting I'm totally nuts. Anywho, I will either be here in spurts or not at all.... let's hope for spruts!

Monday, January 5, 2009

That is the theme for 2009. The short version is "Savor." And this year will be all about enjoying the things I have in life: the blessings of good family and friends, the unconditional love of my little dog, the warmth of my home, yarn to manipulate into beautiful things, gorgeous and supple fabrics, the ability to learn new things, a steady job to pay for my necessities and luxuries and the gift of giving back to others. I will focus on savoring all I can. I will drink in my experiences, trying to remember the bad teach me as much as the good. And I will remember around every corner lies a new opportunity, something new to savor.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

For Christmas, my mom made me this basket for my knitting. (Isn't she talented?!?) I had mentioned I wanted something that could close, keeping the dust off the knitting so she constructed a lining of her own design. I have it under my coffee table, storing a bunch of balls of yarn from the officially frogged It's a Wrap sweater. It also has some leftover yarn from other projects, patterns and my current project An Italian Cowl (Rav link).

Friday, January 2, 2009

I just finished the beret I cast on yesterday afternoon. It is the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret pattern, free off Ravelry. I used the yarn I bought in Italy over the summer after frogging the scarf I was using it in. The beret was an easy knit and I love the way all of the cabling interacts with each other. The color isn't true in the photo - blame the lack of sunlight and that I had to turn the flash off to get cables to show up nicely in the photo. The nice thing is that I think I have enough of the yarn left to make a cowl, so now I get to identify a complementary pattern.

I also worked on the skirt I'm sewing with the left over wool crepe fabric. It's about half done and I think I will probably finish it tomorrow. I'll be back with that and the final word on the 2009 theme..... I hope your new year is going well too!